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I have a weak lockout (which, I believe, are due to weak hips) when I am pulling conventional. I have more power and strength pulling conventional so I don't see myself switch over to sumo for competition.

However, I have been toying around with the idea to work the sumo stance during my training while I am not peaking for a meet. For guys that compete, do you see any benefits in this? I was thinking this may help improve my lockout in the long run.

If not, what suggestions do you have to improve the lockout? Rack pulls, or something else?

"No citizen has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training.... What a disgrace it is for a man to grow old without ever seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable."
-Socrates

Thanks guys, I definitely think I am at the point where focusing solely on rep work and adding weight is not going to cut it to improve my lifts. So, I have been looking hard at my weak points and trying to address them while not peaking.

Thanks for the input! Being a coach (even to just yourself like I am) is a great learning experience.

"No citizen has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training.... What a disgrace it is for a man to grow old without ever seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable."
-Socrates

Thanks guys, I definitely think I am at the point where focusing solely on rep work and adding weight is not going to cut it to improve my lifts. So, I have been looking hard at my weak points and trying to address them while not peaking.

Thanks for the input! Being a coach (even to just yourself like I am) is a great learning experience.

yeah i was getting killed at lockout with my sumo pulls. Was forced to do a cycle of nothing but 4-6in block pulls with a conventional stance along with a ton of upper back work. Fixed my issues.

It is amazing what other people see that you miss. I would have prob never fixed my issues.

"No citizen has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training.... What a disgrace it is for a man to grow old without ever seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable."
-Socrates

Great advice already given to you here. I just wanted to answer your question about the lockout. I found the best assistance for my lockour are long rom powershrugs. Pulling the bar from a few inches below the knee up into a shrug. When I get stronger at these my deads go up as well.

Great advice already given to you here. I just wanted to answer your question about the lockout. I found the best assistance for my lockour are long rom powershrugs. Pulling the bar from a few inches below the knee up into a shrug. When I get stronger at these my deads go up as well.

Use to pull both ways would make one the focus while the other was accessory. Heavier for the primary lift that was pulled off blocks starting from 8" down to 2". This recipe made the best strength gains I've ever experienced.